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Climate Change Policy and Politics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Climate Change Policy and Politics MSc is an advanced social science degree that equips the next generation of climate leaders with the knowledge, methods and technical skills they need to develop politically-intelligent policies to tackle climate change. It is grounded in the disciplines of political science and public policy.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
£10,250
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

As a minimum, an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard; Applicants should ideally have a background in political science, public policy, economics, environmental studies, or a related subject. We encourage applicants with relevant work experience

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The Climate Change Policy and Politics MSc is an advanced social sciences degree based in the disciplines of political science and public policy that emphasises the role of political actors, interests, institutions and ideas in the design, adoption and implementation of climate change policy.

You will learn:

  • policy options for addressing climate change
  • the multilateral and domestic political processes through which climate policy comes to fruition (or not)
  • how to evaluate the political feasibility of climate policy options, in addition to the normative desirability, economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness
  • strategies for designing politically-intelligent climate policy
  • political science and public policy theory
  • cutting-edge research methods (quantitative and qualitative)

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for graduates with an interest in climate change policy who want to specialise in the politics of climate change policymaking and develop the skills needed for a career in climate policy or to go on to further academic study, especially in political science or public policy.  

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study climate change policy and politics at graduate level.
  • Why you want to study climate change policy and politics at UCL.
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme.
  • If you have not formally studied climate change policy and politics before, how does your personal, academic and professional background meets the challenges of this programme.
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

When it is necessary to calculate a final average mark, the department will calculate all years of undergraduate study.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy at UCL is a highly-ranked centre of academic excellence that offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of climate change policy and politics.

  • The programme is taught and overseen by researchers and practitioners active in climate change policy and politics
  • There is an integrated research and teaching approach, where cutting-edge topics are brought into the seminar room for discussion and students are encouraged to carry out original research in these areas
  • Students can choose optional modules across a range of topics and departments across UCL
  • Students benefit from high-profile events in the department and across UCL that feature distinguished external speakers
  • Students benefit from the intellectually rich and stimulating environment of one of the world’s top universities in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Countries around the world have set ambitious targets to reach net zero by 2050 – requiring a seismic shift across global economies and industries to change the way we live. Both governments and businesses require personnel with the skills to drive this green transition further and faster.

We expect our graduates to go on to a range of roles both nationally and internationally related to the green transition, including in:

  • Government
  • Think tanks, NGOs and social movements
  • Private sector, including consultancies
  • Further academic study at UCL or elsewhere, especially in political science or public policy

(Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-2022)

Employability

Students receive high-quality training in climate change policy and politics, political science and public policy theory and research methods, and undertake independent and original research. More broadly, they are exposed to thinking and ideas at the cutting edge of climate policy both in the classroom and at events at UCL and across London.

Taken together, this training and experience provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be leaders in their chosen sectors.

Networking

As a student in the Department you will have access to an impressive range of support, activities, and events that will contribute to your experience. Student societies, exhibitions, lectures, and valuable training is just a snippet of what is on offer for you.

  • The Department host an eclectic and impressive offer of events, these range from our 'Policy and Practice' seminars which include talks by high-profile policy makers, practitioners and academics, to our Departmental Research Seminars (DRS).
  • The International Public Policy Review is a student-led forum for debate, discussion, and networking for those passionate about politics, governance and international affairs
  • The International and Public Affairs Society is a student-run society for all students in the Department of Political Science. They organise social and fundraising events and endeavour to develop a strong and friendly community within the School of Public Policy (SPP).
  • UCL Social Data Institute is led by the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences (SHS), and the Institute amplifies UCL’s advanced research and teaching in social data and methods.

The department also organises an annual Careers Week which brings together alumni, industry speakers and skills workshops.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and is taught by scholars who have carried out theoretical and empirical research in the field. 

Students are assessed in various ways, including essays, policy briefs, take-home exams, portfolio work and a dissertation.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Example of time per 15 Credit Module:

  • 150 hours is allocated to each 15 credit module.
  • This includes 20 contact hours and 130 study hours.

Example of time spent if a Full-time Student versus Part-time Student

  • Full-time: Students study for 40 hours per week. Additionally students retaking a year will be deemed Full-time, when retaking more than half of the activity of the year.
  • Part-time: Students study at a structured rate per week, normally half the rate of Full-time study. Additionally students retaking a year will be deemed Part-time when retaking half or less of the activity of the year.

To learn more, please take a look at the Academic Manual.

Modules

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. This comprises core modules (60 credits), methods (30 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).

1. Students are required to take the following six compulsory modules:

  • The Politics of Climate Policy (30 credits)
  • Climate Policy Analysis (15 credits)
  • Climate Justice (15 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)

They must also take one qualitative methods module from:

  • PUBL0086: Qualitative Methods: Case Studies and Comparative Analysis (15 credits) or
  • PUBL0010: Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations and Mixed Methods (15 credits) or
  • PUBL0085: Qualitative Methods: Using Texts, Transcripts and Images (15 credits) 

And one quantitative methods module from:

  • PUBL0055: Introduction to Quantitative Methods (15 credits) or
  • PUBL0050: Causal Inference (15 credits) or
  • PUBL0099: Quantitative Text Analysis for Social Science (15 credits) 

2. Students choose optional modules up to a value of 30 credits.

The programme structure for part-time students follows the same structure as our full-time students. Please note that all students must take one qualitative and one quantitative methods module in order to conduct further independent research.

The distribution of core modules across both years is as follows:

Year 1, Term 1: The Politics of Climate Policy

Year 1, Term 2: Climate Justice

Year 2, Term 1: Climate Policy Analysis

Year 2, Term 3: Dissertation

Optional modules and research methods modules in line with student choices.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Climate Change Policy and Politics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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All open days and events

Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Social and Historical Sciences

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Join us at our Bloomsbury campus to discover where a postgraduate degree with UCL Social & Historical Sciences will take you. At this in-person event, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our departments and our wide breadth of degree programmes. You'll have the chance to hear from academic staff and current students, and ask any questions you might have about the department, your chosen course and studying at a world-leading university.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500 £10,250
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There is no additional costs to the Programme.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

GREAT Scholarship

Deadline:8 May 2025
Value: £10,000 towards tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/political-science/study/postgraduate-taught

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Political Science
Political Science

polsci.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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